3 Long Beach mayoral candidates raise more than $150K in 2013

LONG BEACH >> Vice Mayor Robert Garcia said Monday that he raised $206,000 in the second half of last year in his bid for mayor, part of a tight fundraising spread among top candidates heading into the April primary.

In a news release, Garcia put his total for the election cycle at $220,000, enough for a “robust and successful campaign.”

“I’m extremely grateful for all the support, and I am working hard to ensure we run a strong and effective campaign,” Garcia said. “Long Beach is ready for change.”

Among other candidates, Long Beach City College Trustee Doug Otto’s campaign put out a release Monday evening noting his report will show more than $250,000 raised through Dec. 31.

The campaign said Otto’s previous January to June total, $70,158, was included in the larger figure, meaning the candidate raised at least $179,842 in the latter half of the year.

He said in a statement that 70 percent of his contributions came from within Long Beach.

“It truly shows that the people of Long Beach are ready for a leader who isn’t a career politician or looking for their next political office,” Otto said. “As a lifelong Long Beach resident, I am proud that my friends and neighbors are the ones behind this campaign. This campaign is people-powered, and we’re just getting started.”

Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal said she raised $176,000 by the end of the year.

Speaking from the state Capitol, where legislators are busy this week preparing bills for this year, Lowenthal said she has received an “outpouring” of support, considering she started her campaign in September.

“I will definitely have the resources necessary for this whole campaign,” she said.

Fundraising totals for real estate investor and former NFL player Damon Dunn were not available, according to a campaign spokesman. Dunn reported $241,432 through June 30, with $125,000 of that a self loan.

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Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske could not be immediately reached for comment. She raised $24,430 through the end of June.

The semiannual reporting deadline covering the period from July 1 through Dec. 31 is on Friday.

Local political consultant Jeff Adler said he’s not surprised by the close spread among major candidates because none of them, even Lowenthal, are proven fundraisers.

Additionally, Long Beach’s contribution limits restrict candidates to receiving $750 per donor in the primary. The limit resets for the general election.

“It’s tough,” Adler said. “A lot of the game’s going to be, what independent expenditures are the (candidates) planning to have.”

Though campaigns can’t legally coordinate such expenditures, Adler pointed out that Lowenthal has the support of the county Democratic Party and that the other candidates will likely get similar support through mailers or other materials sent by the unions, business groups and other organizations that support them.

Beyond that, Adler characterized the end-of-year fundraising totals touted by the candidates as maneuvering in a rapid, three-month election cycle.

“They want to say they now have the resources and support to be able to run an effective campaign,” Adler said.

The totals revealed by the major candidates Monday look pedestrian compared to outgoing Mayor Bob Foster’s running start when he first ran for office in 2006.

Then, Foster reported nearly $450,000 in contributions from July to December — about three times as much as his closest opponent, City Councilman Frank Colonna, and more than the rest of the field combined.

Contact Eric Bradley at 562-499-1254.

About the Author

Eric Bradley covers Long Beach City Hall and politics. He joined the Press-Telegram in August 2011 and previously reported for the Daily Breeze and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Reach the author at eric.bradley@langnews.com
or follow Eric on Twitter: EricBradleyPT.